Putting the Saint Back in Valentine's Day; World Marriage Day
Submitted by FatherSean on Sat, 02/13/2010 - 10:56.
Statue of St Valentine, Church of the Carmelite Friars (OCarm), Dublin
For some years I have been campaigning to put the 'SAINT' back into St Valentines' Day to give its proper meaning to this celebration of a priest martyred because of his defence of the sacrament of matrimony. Read about SAINT Valentine, a priest martyred for celebrating weddings, on the website of the Carmelite Friars (OCarm) in Ireland and on my personal blog, Bangor to Bobbio here.
I'm happy to discover that I'm not the only one engaged in this campaign. On 4 February the Catholic Archdiociese of Adelaide, Australia, issued this press release:
Putting the Saint back in Valentine's Day
The Catholic Church has moved to reclaim St Valentine’s Day in a bold campaign focusing on the true meaning of the saint’s feast day and the importance of romance in marriage.
The national initiative, featured in an article in the February issue of The Southern Cross, provides parishes and Catholic school families with practical suggestions for celebrating St Valentine’s Day and encouraging married couples to spend more time together.
St Valentine was executed on February 14, 269AD for going against a decree by Roman ruler Claudius that weddings be suspended because he needed unattached men to serve in his armies.
Archbishop Philip Wilson said the campaign was an opportunity to advocate the sacred bond of marriage. He said one of the great tragedies in society today was the breakdown of marriage and home.
Brochures and other resources such as prepared homilies, items for newsletters and discussion points for community groups have been sent out to parishes and schools.
The St Valentine’s Day campaign is also being publicised through the Catholic Church’s monthly newspaper The Southern Cross, which for the first time is available online in a new publishing arrangement with Solstice Media.
The first digital edition of the 143-year-old Southern Cross comes 10 years after the publication was revamped as a free newspaper distributed to all Catholic school families as well as to parishes throughout the State.
To view the digital version of the February issue of The Southern Cross, visit www.thesoutherncross.org.au
St Valentine kneeling in supplication
Tomorrow, 14 February, is also World Marriage Day.
Happy St Valentine's Day, Happy World Marriage Day, Happy Lunar New Year!!!
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Another Advocacy!
After reading the above's post, I will add another advocacy that I will be campaigning for...(I'll greet as many people as I can today until the next weeks to come and also put this acvocacy in my facebook account to ask support from my friends....) and that is putting the Saint back in Valentine's Day... I was also guilty of deleting the word Saint eversince but I believe it's not too late yet to start at 19 and continue campaigning for it as long as I live...
I realized that it is good to know the history of every celebration that we have. In this way, we will be able to put the greater meaning of why do we celebrate. We can then reflect on its true message. Undoubtedly, love is very much related to St Valentine's Day as St Valentine has shown us the importance of the sacred bond of marriage.
Today, February 14, we have so many reasons to celebrate! But let us also find time to reflect what's behind the roses, the fire works and the greeting cards.... Let us add another advocacy starting today: Let us give this day a proper meaning in memory of St Valentine who defended the sacrament of matrimony.
I would also like to end with a joyful tripple greeting: Happy St Valentine's Day, Happy World Marriage Day, Happy Lunar New Year!!!
"For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and future." -Jeremiah 29:11-
An article in yesterday's
An article in yesterday's Philippine Daily Inquirer shows why we need to put the 'Saint' back into 'Valentine's Day': ‘Vulgar, immoral,’ says Church of condom-giving with flowers. The story is reported in CathNews Philippines.
The report quotes Archbishop Oscar V. Cruz (photo), the retired archbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan: 'It is vulgar, it is lewd, it is gross. To what extend would they entice young people to be promiscuous? How far are they willing to go in promoting illegitimate carnal relations?'
It is a sad fact that St Valentine's Day in the Philippines is for some simply an excuse for serious sin, for fornication and for adultery. St Valentine died in defence of the holy sacrament of matrimony, in defence of the wonderful dream God has carried in his heart from all eternity for each man and woman whom He has called to marriage. It would seem that the Department of 'Health' doesn't know what a dream/aspiration is and that young people are incapable of idealism and of genuine love that is a decision for the welfare of the beloved.
Health Warning: Don't hold your breath while waiting for the Secretary of 'Health' to resign.
on condoms, etc
When I first went to our school clinic, the first thing I've noticed in the reception area was the box of free condoms which says, "Please limit to two." Of course, there are some free things like disposable masks, etc.
When I had to be immunized, I was asked, "Is there any chance that you're pregnant?" And my answer was, "No! I'm not married." Later, I thought I was kind of ignorant.
I have dysmenorrhea so I scheduled an appointment and a lot of too personal questions were asked. When I answered, "I am from the Philippines." The answer was, "But you're staying here."
Just recently, a visitor at my friend's house told me about her Filipina friend who is pregnant and her husband was mad with the doctor when asked if they want the baby or not. (Abortion is always an option if you're pregnant). And this lady was surprised why is it that Philippines does not allow abortion.
I still have so many things to say but definitely, this is one of the reasons why I can't stay here longer.
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